And [thus it is:] unto every community [that has ever believed in Us] have We appointed [sacrifice as] an act of worship, so that they might extol the name of God over whatever heads of cattle He may have provided for them [to this end]. And [always bear in mind;] your God is the One and Only God: hence, surrender yourselves unto Him.

And give thou the glad tiding [of God’s acceptance] unto all who are humble – all whose hearts tremble with awe whenever God is mentioned, and all who patiently bear whatever ill befalls them, and all who are constant in prayer and spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance.

AL – HAJI  (34 – 35)

 

E PLURIBUS UNUM

OUT OF MANY, ONE!

Obama’s speech given in Cairo yesterday has many lessons for One Malaysia !

One must admit that no nation can be more plural than America! America is unique in its racio- ethnic diversity and everything that comes with  people and their groups – stock/genes/colour, language, culture, religion, customs, traditions, dress, food in all their permutations.

But out of all these diversities has emerged one nation America and one nationality American!  Because of their magnitude and numbers America and the Americans represent the best and the worst of humanity. The best in its ideals of democracy, freedom and equality! The worst in these same ideals when distorted and manipulated by self serving interests!

But then, where is there a nation and a people that is not self serving?

One can argue that as a nation China has magnitude and numbers too! However one can quickly add that China’s population is more homogenous and its peoples more genetically similar.

One Malaysia shares with America the dream of unity out of diversity! The vision of one nationality out of peoples whose forefathers settled in the Malay Archipelago and the Malay Peninsular from the outlying regions and from as far away as Europe, Arabia, India and China throughout history.

There were waves of migration bringing in waves  of  migrants at different periods of history from as early as the 3rd century. The most significantly recent wave that brought big numbers of migrants from China, India and the Indonesian islands came with the opening of Penang and Singapore in the late 18th and early 19th century.  One can say that the forefathers of most present-day Malaysians would be traceable to these arrivals.

So Malaysia is younger than America, its peoples not as racially diverse as America’s huge European, African, Asian, Arab; Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities. But efforts to unite diverse communities with diverse needs remain a crucial part of the American dream as they are with the Malaysian one!

America does this wisely and systematically through a common language, a common education system, a common constitution and law. Lately common national pursuits like the fight against terrorism and the pledge to uphold democracy at home and abroad have united the American people and given them a relevant impetus and a modern identity as a nation.   

E Pluribus Unum!

One Malaysia!

No doubt Malaysia is puny compared to gigantic America! But as a people, no matter how small our numbers are, how trivial our needs and interests we can have common dreams, aspirations and goals. What we all want after all is a place in the sun – the Malaysian Sun!

Indeed, Malaysians can gather hope from Obama’s speech, from the firm promises, strong warnings and veiled threats!

What I take as my guiding light is Obama’s urgings to move forward and not let history and the past stop us in our tracks! We can’t erase history but we can definitely remove the baggage of hate, vindictiveness and prejudice that takes over our puny human minds, hearts and souls.

Malaysians of all ethnicities can be generous and magnanimous and share the cake that we all have painstakingly baked!

E PLURIBUS UNUM (OUT OF MANY, ONE)!

ONE MALAYSIA!